Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville is the Paris City Hall. Since 1977 it has again been occupied by a mayor – as for a long time Paris had no mayor! The very large administrative centre regularly hosts large receptions and events. During the middle-ages, public executions, demonstrations and colourful festivals took place on the forecourt of the Hotel de Ville. Francis I in 1953 commissioned the construction of the building which was later extended – however it was very important to ensure that the building was preserved in a Renaissance style.

In 1871 the building burnt down however a new city hall – in the new style of the renaissance, was erected. The façade of Hotel de Ville is particularly impressive as this was decorated with approximately 150 statues of well known personalities. The interior reflects the period of the Third Republic from 1870 to 1939.